1,000 jobs at risk as new dawn for Pickfords fails to deliver

Removals company Pickfords could go through a pre-pack administration putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk, despite only being rescued 12 months ago.

Pickfords – which was sold in April 2008 to relocation firm Team Group when its parent company, US logistics giant Sirva, filed for Chapter 11 protection from insolvency (the US version of administration) – has been forced to bring in insolvency specialist Deloitte to advise on restructuring as it continues to struggle in the UK’s stagnant property market, according to the Sunday Times.

Deloitte will consider all options, including a pre-pack, which would allow the business to be bought immediately upon going into administration, potentially by its existing owner, but with the new firm not obliged to take on the company’s liabilities, including staff.